Sex Differences in ADHD Adults

This lecture discusses the research findings on the extent to which females and males differ in the nature, course, and management of ADHD in adults. The lecture is 1 hour in length.
Subscribe Now

[@KureusKathleen]

I just started medication 8 months ago at 59 (now 60) and it's the first time I have obtained help! I have been eating up your lectures starting back over a decade ago! How life could have been different! Thank you!

[@norcrisechavarria]

Just a great synthesis for a better understanding. I've just came from ADHD World Federation Congress in Amsterdam, and with Professor Dr. Sandra Kooij leadership started to point the importance of hormones in the expression of female ADHD symptoms, with a nice female group of psychiatrists. It is really an absolute need to address these differences...!! As usual you share your knowledge in an unique way!! We will gather data and later have a more precise view. Thanks Dr Russ!!

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Yes, she is on the vanguard of studying these issues. We need more research on all this.

[@joshmarchstatsboi]

Big fan of this channel - could you please put up a key references section for some of the main papers you discuss in these videos in future? No worries if not, don't want to ask for more work from you, it's already very much appreciated

[@MysteryGrey]

I love that you don't say "um"...thank you. My brain never says "um". I am 57 years old and I notice daily that I am still developmentally delayed, while at the same time I am a critical thinker, more so than most other people.

[@s.m.4948]

Dr. Barkley💛I’ve already waxed poetic under your intro video about how grateful I am for this video channel and for your entire body of ADHD work, so here I will go straight to a question about the topic of ADHD and Sex Differences. I (female) was recently diagnosed at 53 years old. I have been trialling medications under a nurse practitioner’s supervision. Concerta: lowest to highest legal dose. Vyvanse (“Elvanse” in this country): lowest to highest dose. Current: highest legal dose of Dexamfetamine. Besides some mild headaches at highest dose of Concerta, I have noticed absolutely no effects from these meds: neither positive nor negative. I had read such hope-inducing things about stimulant medication, but do some ADHD people have no reaction to stims? Also, I have learned that some ADHD women suddenly find their stimulant medication far less effective when they reach perimenopause but as I was only diagnosed when menopausal (no HRT) I have no “before” with which to compare/contrast this “after.” I am flummoxed. Sir, might you please offer some insights I could consider as I move forward? Thank you.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

About 5-10% of adults do not respond to any single medication but may well respond to the other types, such as amphetamines, atomoxetine, or guanfacine XR. We do not understand why this may be the case but it explains why clinicians often have to try different medications to find something that works for each individual client. The variability in single drug responding is greater than people usually understand it to be. Thanks for watching.

[@sburns90]

Another thing to consider is the effect different medication filler and binder ingredients can have. My son and I have gone from perfect response to Adderall and then the next month no benefit. And then from tons of side effects to no side effects. With the only difference being the manufacturer of the meds and the differing inactive ingredients / binders. There is not supposed to be a major difference between manufacturers. Some medicines like levothyroxine (for people with low thyroid function) the pharmacist will warn you if they are out of the specific manufacturer of levothyroxine. This was also brought to light with some studies on epilepsy medication. In A study of 1354 epileptic patients 12.9-20% had to switch back to the name brand of medication. This was because after switching to the generic or different generics they experienced a loss of seizure control and increased side effects. (pubmed 17346246)

[@OurgasmComrade]

Hi Dr Barkley! In a future video as a request, could you also take a look at any data about adhd in the lgbtq population and those who are transgender or non-binary? In my experience volunteering as a peer support for adhd groups, I meet a lot of individuals who identify in those populations and often struggle to find resources that are accommodating (especially ones that focus on traditional relationship milestones and structures, whereas a lot of lgbtq individuals do not have the same milestones and it shouldn't be seen as a pathology like how the DSM used to classify homosexuality as a disorder which was ridiculous especially since the phenomenon occurs in several species of mammals other than humans). We've come along way as a society and we have to continue to put more research in a diverse group of identities.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

I don’t know of any studies of this issue but you can use Google Scholar to find any that might be out there.

[@gigicee3323]

This has just told the story of how my parter and i grew up in childhood (both adhd).... crazy accurate. 🤯

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Glad it was informative to you. Thanks for viewing it.

[@sanjavukovic169]

Lots of commercials 😮

[@juicyjaydavila]

At what age should you medicate or treat a child you suspect has adhd? I have not been diagnosed but I believe I have adhd and I can see some symptoms in my 4 year old.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

You can start as young as age 3 but expect somewhat less benefits and slightly more of the usual side effects. At least until about age 5 or so when the greater benefits occur. But if it is moderate or more severe ADHD then it may be worth considering it in discussions with your physician.